Super Bowl 2013 may draw close to a million people in and around New Orleans, so the state is taking precautions and setting up the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, which will join federal, state and local public safety agencies.

GOHSEP will activate its Crisis Action Team Wednesday to monitor public safety issues, coordinate assistance and resources being provided to the area, and respond to requests from New Orleans and other affected local governments, should the need for additional state support arise.

The governor’s office on homeland security and its partner agencies stand ready to assist New Orleans should an emergency occur, Christina Stephens, executive management officer for the state’s homeland security office said in a news release.

A mobile command unit will be set up in New Orleans and serve as a command post and provide communications support. The state’s homeland security office will also provide a cache of 100 radios to be used on designated local channels.

Representatives from the Crisis Action Team will begin operation in New Orleans on Wednesday and end its work on Feb. 4, or as long as needed. In the event of a large-scale emergency, the state’s office of homeland security is in place as the State Coordinating agency.

“We expect more than a million people to be in and around downtown New Orleans over the days surrounding the Super Bowl,” Kevin Davis, director of GOHSEP said in a statement. “After months of preparation, planning and practice, we know the City is ready to host this large gathering. While the world is fixated on the football game, we will join our federal, state and local partners in focusing on keeping the public safe.”

Davis encourages “the public to join our team in keeping the City safe for its residents and visitors by reporting any suspicious activities to the proper authorities.”

“These types of activities could include people leaving unattended baggage or packages in the airport or at a public gathering or someone attempting to break into a restricted area. While you are visiting New Orleans, if you see something suspicious, say something. The public is a critical part of the public safety game plan for the Super Bowl,” the director added.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said the state’s office of homeland security and the Louisiana State Police have been excellent partners as we prepare for Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

During the Super Bowl and running through the end of the Mardi Gras season, residents of and visitors to New Orleans and the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will see public service announcements encouraging them to report suspicious activities to 800-434-8007, which will connect them to the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange or LA-SAFE.